Two positions as Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Umeå University aims to give the next generation of research leaders the best possible conditions to conduct cutting-edge research through the Umeå University Northern Star Fellows Programme. Through this university-wide initiative, we offer 10 early-career researchers the opportunity to develop their research over the long term through a six-year tenure-track assistant professorship, with the possibility of promotion to associate professor. All open calls in the initiative can be found here: https://www.umu.se/en/northern-star/northern-star-fellows/.

Learn more about the Umeå University Northern Star Programme, a new excellence initiative designed to strengthen research quality and international competitiveness here: https://www.umu.se/en/northern-star/ .

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Umeå University invites applications for two positions as Assistant Professor, offering researchers the opportunity to develop a long-term research programme over a six-year period and to qualify for promotion to Associate Professor. The call is broad in scope and open to all subject areas within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities where scientific research is conducted. Of the two positions, no more than one may be allocated to the same subject area within the faculty. You can read more about the faculty's research here: https://www.umu.se/en/faculty-of-arts-and-humanities/research/ .

Main duties

The purpose of the appointment is to give the successful applicant the opportunity to develop their independence as a researcher and to acquire research and teaching qualifications to meet the qualification requirements for appointment as associate professor. The duties include actively contributing to the development of the research environment within the applicant’s research area, as well as applying for external research funding for their own research activities and research environment. Teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, as well as supervision of doctoral students, is also included.

In addition to teaching and research, the duties include teaching-related administration as well as staff, subject and planning meetings.

The position is fixed-term and full-time over six years and comprises at least 70% individual research and at least 20% pedagogical development. 

Applicants who do not speak Swedish at the time of appointment are expected to learn Swedish within six years from the first day of employment.

Qualification requirements for appointment as assistant professor

A person who has been awarded a doctorate within one of the research areas relevant to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities or has achieved equivalent research expertise is qualified for appointment as assistant professor. Priority should be given to candidates who have been awarded their doctorate or have achieved equivalent research expertise no more than seven years before the deadline for the application for appointment as assistant professor. However, a person who has been awarded a doctorate or has achieved equivalent competence earlier can also be considered if special reasons exist. Special reasons refer to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave or other similar circumstances (Chapter 4, Section 4a of the Higher Education Ordinance).

Very good command of English, both spoken and written, is a requirement for the position.

Assessment criteria for selection 

The assessment criteria are the level of research and teaching expertise, as well as administrative expertise.

For appointment as assistant professor, research expertise must have been demonstrated by independent research contributions.

Assessment criteria include:
• breadth and depth of research – quality and scope;
• originality of research;
• productivity;
• contributions to the international research community;
• assignments within the research community;
• ability to obtain external research funding in competition; and
• ability to collaborate and engage with the wider community

Research expertise will also be assessed on the basis of the research plan submitted by the applicant with their application. The plan will be evaluated in terms of the quality, relevance and feasibility of the proposed research.

Teaching expertise must have been demonstrated through documented experience of teaching on a scientific basis within higher education. 

Assessment criteria include:
• an ability to plan, implement and evaluate teaching, and an ability to supervise and assess students at all levels of education;
• an ability to vary teaching methods and examination formats in relation to intended learning outcomes and the nature of the subject;
• experience of collaboration with the wider community in planning and implementing education;
• participation in the development of learning environments, teaching aids and study resources; and
• a reflective approach to student learning and one’s own role as a teacher.

This expertise can be obtained through teacher training for higher education, other training relevant for teaching higher education, or documented, proven experience of teaching in higher education. An account of teaching expertise must be provided by presenting teaching and supervision experience in the form of a Curriculum Vitae (CV) for teaching qualifications together with a reflective description of the applicant’s pedagogical starting points.

General assessment criteria for all teacher categories are a good ability to cooperate, and the expertise and suitability required in general to complete the work duties well.

Weighting of assessment criteria 

Equal care will be given to the assessment of research and teaching expertise. In the weighting of these two assessment criteria, research expertise will be given the greatest weight.

In the assessment of research expertise, particular weight will be given to the ability to independently conduct and publish high-quality research within the applicant’s field, as well as to contributions to the international research community. Particular weight will also be given to experience of leading research and of successfully obtaining research funding in competition with others. Great weight will be given to the quality of publications in which the applicant has been the lead author. Great weight will also be given to the quality, relevance and feasibility of the research plan in relation to ongoing research. Weight will be given to established collaborations within and outside academia.

In the assessment of teaching expertise, particular weight will be given to experience of teaching and supervision. 

In the assessment of research and teaching expertise, weight will be given to international mobility, for example research stays, experience from a postdoctoral stay or employment at a higher education institution other than the one at which the applicant obtained their doctoral degree.

In the assessment of other assessment criteria, weight will be given to administrative expertise, good ability to cooperate and the expertise and suitability required in general to complete the work duties well.

Application for promotion from assistant professor to associate professor 

An assistant professor must, on application, be promoted to associate professor if they are eligible for employment as an associate professor and are assessed to be suitable for such an appointment in accordance with the assessment criteria that apply for promotion to associate professor. Such a promotion entails indefinite employment as an associate professor.

Prior to the appointment of an assistant professor, the assessment criteria for promotion must be established. An application for promotion must be submitted six months before the fixed-term employment ends. If an assistant professor is not promoted after assessment, the fixed-term employment ends.

Qualification requirements

A person qualified for appointment as associate professor is a person who has demonstrated teaching expertise and has been awarded a doctorate within one of the research areas relevant to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, or has attained equivalent research expertise or other professional expertise relevant with regard to the subject area and the duties included in the position.

A very good command of English and a good command of Swedish, both spoken and written, as well as the ability to teach in these languages, are requirements for the position.

Assessment criteria for promotion to associate professor

The assessment criteria for promotion to associate professor are the degree of research and teaching expertise, good ability to cooperate in education and research, administrative expertise and experience of development work. 

Research expertise for promotion to associate professor must have been demonstrated by independent research contributions. When making an overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, the external expert shall use the following criteria:

·        breadth and depth of research – quality and scope;
·        originality of research;
·        productivity;
·        contributions to the international research community;
·        assignments within the research community;
·        ability to obtain external research funding in competition; and
·        ability to collaborate and engage with the wider community.

An additional criterion for the assessment of research expertise is that the applicant has successfully conducted research and published research results within the specialization of the assistant professor appointment. What constitutes a satisfactory performance will be assessed in relation to the extent of research time allocated within the appointment.

Teaching expertise for promotion to associate professor must have been demonstrated through documented experience of teaching on a scientific basis within higher education. When making an overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, the external expert shall use the following criteria:

·        an ability to plan, implement and evaluate teaching, and an ability to supervise and assess students at all levels of education;
·        an ability to vary teaching methods and examination formats in relation to intended learning outcomes and the nature of the subject;
·        experience of collaboration with the wider community in planning and implementing education; 
·        participation in the development of learning environments, teaching aids and study resources; and
·        a reflective approach to student learning and one’s own role as a teacher.

An additional criterion for assessing teaching expertise is that the applicant has successfully completed teaching assignments, acquired more extensive pedagogical experience, and developed in their role as a teacher.

This expertise can be obtained through teacher training for higher education, other training relevant for teaching higher education, or documented, proven experience of teaching in higher education.

Other assessment criteria include good ability to cooperate, the expertise and suitability required in general to complete the work duties well and active contribution to the research and educational environment within the field of appointment. 

The eligibility and assessment criteria can be found in the Appointments procedure for teachers at Umeå University: https://www.umu.se/en/legal-framework/human-resources-equal-opportunities-and-work-environment/appointments-procedure-for-teachers-at-umea-university2/ .

Application

Applications written in English must be submitted via Umeå University's e-recruitment system Varbi no later than Oktober 1, 2026. 

All application documents must be submitted electronically. 
Information regarding the documents to be attached to the application can be found in Guidelines for applications for employment and promotion at Umeå University’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities: https://www.umu.se/contentassets/50940fbdac714459ad8b6a4406596619/guidelines-for-applications_employment_promotion_at-umus-faculty-of-arts-and-humanities--ads-published-from-240129.pdf.

Other information

The position is fixed-term and full-time for six years starting July 1, 2027.
The position includes a start-up package intended to support the establishment of an independent research group. The package includes funding for one doctoral student and SEK 100,000 per year in operating funds.

The position is based in Umeå and a high level of on-site presence is required.

Umeå University is a government agency, which means that employees are offered special benefits. Read more here: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/benefits/ 

For more information about the position contact Philip Buckland, Vice Dean, +46 90-786 52 92, philip.buckland@umu.se or Carina Rönnqvist, Research Coordinator, +46 90-786 76 10, carina.ronnqvist@umu.se.

We look forward to receiving your application!